Download The Status of "Messianic Jews"

The Status of "Messianic Jews"
YD 268:12.2012a
Rabbis Kassel Abelson and Reuven Hammer
Approved by the CJLS on October 23, 2012 by a vote of twenty-one in favor. In favor: Rabbis
Aaron Alexander, Pamela Barmash, David Booth, Elliot Dorff, Baruch Frydman-Kohl, Susan
Grossman, Reuven Hammer, David Hoffman, Joshua Heller, Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Adam
Kligfeld, Jane Kanarek, Gail Labovitz, Amy Levin, Jonathan Lubliner, Daniel Nevins, Paul
Plotkin, Avram Reisner, Elie Spitz, Loel Weiss and Steven Wernick.
Sheilah: What is the halakhic status of Jews who become members of so-called 'Messianic
Jewish' groups such as 'Jews for Jesus' that teach that Jesus was the Messiah? Are
they still to be considered Jews? May they be members of a synagogue? May they
receive an aliyah or other synagogue honors? May they receive a Jewish burial?
Are their children/grandchildren Jewish? If they decide to abandon that belief
and return to Judaism what must they do?
Discussion. The specific question of the status of 'Messianic Jews' was dealt with by the CJLS
for the first time on Sept. 12, 1978. (See Appendix for the record of that meeting.) A discussion
was held concerning whether or not to allow 'Jews for Jesus' to join synagogues or to send their
children to Jewish schools. Although a variety of opinions was discussed, with special attention
given to the dangers presented by such people and their methods of trying to influence others,
the consensus of the committee was to issue a statement declaring that "Hebrew Christians are
indeed Christians." Beyond that, no specific decisions were made. Subsequently other teshuvot
have dealt with some of the issues raised here. This teshuvah is intended to serve as a more
comprehensive guide to this entire issue.
1
Missionary Activities
Throughout the centuries Jews were subject to intense missionary activity by the Catholic
Church and various Protestant groups. Many Jews left Judaism and converted to Christianity,
most forcibly but others voluntarily. Following the emancipation many in Europe and England
converted either from conviction or convenience. In early twentieth century America attempts
to convert Jews to Christianity were common, especially in centers of Jewish population such
as New York's lower east side. These efforts were generally not successful. In the midtwentieth century, Judaism’s stature in America grew. It was commonly recognized as a
religion equal to Catholicism and Protestantism. Many Protestant groups began to view
Judaism more positively. Vatican II was crucial in the change of attitude toward the Jews. The
Catholic Church recognized the right of Jews to practice Judaism. Catholic missionary
activities ceased and Protestant Missionary activities to convert Jews to Christianity decreased
somewhat, although many fundamentalist groups continue that effort vigorously until this day.
Messianic Jews
In the 1970's, however, a new organization sponsored by Protestants came into existence
under the rubric of 'Jews for Jesus.' Other groups, calling themselves 'Messianic Jews,'
followed.
'Jews for Jesus,' the largest of these groups, is a conservative evangelical organization that
focuses on the conversion of Jews to Christianity without using that term. Its members are
encouraged to consider themselves to be Jews, 'completed Jews.' Some members are born
Jews who at some point 'accepted Jesus as their Lord,' thereby, they believe, completing the
process of being a Jew.. Others not originally Jewish call themselves Jews because they are
2
followers of Jesus. In some instances Christians have falsely converted to Judaism in order to
become 'Messianic Jews.'
In essence 'Jews for Jesus,' is a sophisticated attempt at converting Jews to Christianity, a kind
of wolf in sheep's clothing, since its selling point is that one does not have to stop being a Jew
in order to accept basic Christian belief. Thus one may continue to call oneself a Jew and
justify one's belief by saying that this is what Judaism has always taught. One continues to
attend services on Saturday in a place called a synagogue, observes Jewish holidays in one
form or another, circumcise males and listen to sermons from leaders who call themselves
"rabbis." If there is no 'Jews for Jesus' synagogue where one lives, one can comfortably attend
a regular synagogue and keep one's identity and beliefs to oneself or perhaps speak of them
privately to Jews who may be ripe for them. Whereas historically Jews who converted to
Christianity were usually interested in staying as far away from being identified with Judaism
as possible, 'Messianic Jews' deliberately stress their Jewishness and even demand that they be
recognized as Jews by the Jewish community and accorded all the rights that go with that.
This idea was originally promulgated by Martin Rosen in 1973. Rosen was born a Jew but
converted to Christianity and became a Baptist minister. He led a mission to convert other
Jews, but when he found that they were not responsive, he came up with the idea that the
impediment to Jews accepting Jesus was their reluctance to give up their identity as Jews and
become "Christians." Jews for Jesus was his new tactic for converting Jews and it has proven
itself a successful if limited one. With a budget of $24,000,000 a year, a staff of 150 in
America, 9 branches have been established there as well as branches in many other countries,
3
including Israel where they have been established since the 1980's with headquarters in Tel
Aviv and branches throughout the country. They have a sophisticated website, publications in
English, Hebrew and other languages, street evangelists, festivals, outreach to Russians in
Israel etc.
Although there are differences in approach among the various groups of 'Messianic Jews,' what
they all have in common is their belief in the basic concepts of Christianity as presented in the
Christian Bible and their attempt to remain Jews while believing in Jesus as the Messiah. Such
a belief places them within the category of apostates, in this case Jews who have become
Christians. This status also differentiates them from other Christians who were never Jews and
do not claim to be so. Nothing that is said in this teshuvah, therefore, necessarily applies to
Christians and Christianity in general, nor does it have any application to intermarried couples.
APOSTASY
It has always been difficult in Judaism to define apostasy. There has never been an official
formulation of Jewish beliefs and dogmas against which apostasy can be defined. In this
teshuvah we define an apostate Jew as one who has taken the definitive step of professing and
joining another religion.
It is even difficult to determine the correct Hebrew terminology for an apostate. The commonly
used term is meshumad, but often that word is used to refer to a Jew who does not observe
various mitzvot, rather than one who has converted to another religion. Another term is mumar
and yet a third is min. Mumar comes from the verb mor meaning to change. Meshumad is
4
derived from sh-m-d meaning to destroy. S. Zeitlin demonstrates that "change" was the word
used to describe one who converted from Judaism to paganism in early Greek language
literature.1 "A Jew who was forced to adopt another religion was called meshumad. If a Jew
was willing to adopt another religion he was called mumar."2 In post-tannaitic times meshumad
– one worthy of destruction – came to be applied to both. Adolph Buchler states that prior to
135 C.E. min denoted Jewish heretics, although whether they were Gnostics or Christians
cannot be determined. After that, the term referred to both Jewish and Gentiles with heretical
views. 3.
Jacob Petuchowski,4 however, shows that in the Talmud mumar is also used for one who is not
an apostate but simply a Jew who violates commandments, "a bone fide Jew who has become
alienated either from the totality of Jewish observance, or from one or more aspects thereof"
(p.181). An apostate is known as either min or apiqoros (p.189). Therefore rabbinic sources
that use these terms must be interpreted with caution and may not always be referring to what
we would call an apostate.5 Since meshumad is the commonly used term, we shall adopt it here
as the Hebrew term for an apostate.
1
JQR 54:1July 1963 pages 84-86. See iii Mac. 1:3, ii Mac. 6:24, Josephus Jewish War 7.3.3.(50) and Ant. 20.7.1.
(139) where it indicates one who changed from paganism to Judaism as well.
2
Ibid p.86.
3
The Minim of Sepphoris and Tiberias in the Second and Third Centuries, Studies In Jewish History Oxford
University Press,London,1956, p 245ff). See especially Hullin 13a and Gittin 45b and Sifre Numbers 16.
4
The Mumar- A Study in Rabbinic Psychology, HUCA 30 1959 pages 179-190,
5
To further complicate matters Aharon Lichtenstein ("Brother Daniel and the Jewish Fraternity", Judaism 12:3
Summer 1963 pages 260-280) writes that mumar appears only because of censorship while meshumad was the
genuine term for an apostate. Only he, and not the min or apikoros, could be excluded from Judaism (notes 3 and
5). Lichtenstein believes such a one – born a Jew- remains a Jew and does not require conversion should he return
(267), but "He remains a Jew without Jewishness" (267).
5
Today various religious groups within the Jewish community have differing beliefs and are
frequently denounced by other groups as having violated basic Jewish dogmas. Although it
may be difficult to define exactly what are the parameters of Jewish belief,6 nonetheless it
should be possible to recognize when a group has gone beyond the broad spectrum of
acceptable Jewish beliefs to the extent of adopting the basic tenets of another faith. 'Messianic
Jewish' sects, by their belief in Jesus as Messiah, as one of a trinity, as "the son of God," and as
the one who leads to salvation, have crossed the red line and have become a Christian sect in
everything but name. As such, members of any such group are apostates as surely as are Jews
who have converted to Christianity or to any other religion but do not pretend that they are still
Jews.
This definition does not apply to non-Jews who are born as Christians or have adopted that
faith. Although, as will be noted below, in the early days of Christianity Judaism's attitude
toward Christianity, which was then seen as a breakaway Jewish sect, was extremely negative
and confrontational, today we consider Christians neither apostates nor pagans but members of
a legitimate religion. This determination was made clear by the great scholar of Provence, the
Meiri (Menahem ben Solomon, 1249-1316) who termed them "nations governed by religion."7
In the words of Louis Jacobs, "To all intents and purposes Meiri has created a third category,
unknown in the earlier sources, between Jews and pagans. For Meiri, Christians were certainly
not Jews, but they were not pagans either."8We make a distinction between non-Jews who are
6
See Solomon Schechter, "The Dogmas of Judaism"in Studies In Judaism, New York, 1958 and Louis Jacobs,
We Have Reason To Believe, London, 2004.
7
. Bet hBehirah to Bava Kamma 37b (ed K. Sch;esinger,Jer., 1973) p.122. See Alan Brill, "Judaism and
Other Religions: Models of Understanding."
8
Judaism and Theology, Louis Jacobs, London 2005, page 105. See also his note 11 on page 114 for further
discussion and references.
6
Christians and born Jews who accept Christianity. Having left Judaism, they are Christians
who are also apostate Jews. As such we cannot grant them the privileges of Jews but we can
hope that they will return to Judaism and be ready to welcome them back. Unlike born
Christians, a Jew who has converted to Judaism has demonstrated a negative attitude, not to
say contempt, for Judaism. Judaism recognizes and honors Christians and Christianity and
does not seek to convert Christians to Judaism. At the same time, it expects Christianity to
respect Judaism and not to seek to convert Jews. Unfortunately Messianic sects do exactly that
while contending that they do not.
Birkat HaMinim
The question of the status of Jews who embraced Christianity was dealt with by the Rabbis in
Yavneh, in the days of Rabban Gamliel II around 100 C.E. when they formulated the Birkat
HaMinim paragraph of the daily Amidah.9 Although the version of that prayer that is in use
today in Ashkenazi rites makes no mention either of minim or of Christians, early versions of
the prayer found in the Cairo Genizah, reflecting the ancient formulas of prayer in Eretz
Yisrael, make explicit that it is directed specifically against early Jewish Christian sects among
others. Note the extremely harsh language of the prayer:
“May the Meshumadim have no hope and may the kingdom of wickedness be
speedily uprooted in our own time, and may the Notzrim (Christians) and the
Minim perish immediately and be erased from the Book of Life.”
9
Ashkenazi Siddurim refer to this blessing as Birkat Malshinim, the Blessing of the Slanderers. whereas Sefardi
versions still refer to minim.
7
Gedaliah Alon points out that while there were differences in belief and practice among
the many early Jewish Christian sects, some being less radical and closer to Judaism
than others, it was difficult to distinguish among them and they were all lumped
together in this prayer and “were to be regarded as apostates and could no longer be
called Jews”10.
This blessing was intended to make certain that Jewish Christians – apostates - would be
unable to worship together with normative Jews. Furthermore it represents the official attitude
of second century Judaism which saw in the Jewish-Christians of that time a group that was to
be read out of Judaism. They were to have no part in the redemption that the Amidah
envisions.11
In this prayer, at least, the technical difference between Minim and Meshumadim does not seem
to have relevance in the context of 'Messianic Jews.' May it not be said that the current
situation of 'Messianic Jews' resembles closely the ancient situation of Jewish-Christians who
were considered similar to minim, in which case 'Messianic Jews' are to be considered
Christians and not Jews as far as their religious beliefs are concerned? At the same time it must
be emphasized that we today in no way apply the words of that prayer calling for Minim to
perish to either members of other faiths or Jewish apostates. On the contrary, our desire is for
apostates to return to the Jewish fold.
10
11
Alon, Gedaliah, The Jews in Their Land in the Talmudic Age, Jerusalem, 1980 Magnes Press P.290.
See Reuven Hammer, Entering Jewish Prayer,New York, 1994, pp 178-179.
8
Responsibilities but not Rights
The early Sages recognized that Jews who had accepted Jesus as a Messiah and the son
of God posed a threat to the continued existence of the Jewish people and to Judaism as a
distinct religion. Hence they no longer considered them to be Jews, but apostates who were
members of a different religion. At the same time it must be pointed out that there is
ambivalence in halakhic literature on the question of whether or not these apostates have
completely lost their Jewish identity. As Theodore Friedman wrote, "Few areas in the
Halakhah are more charged with ambiguity and inconsistency than the Halakhic status of an
apostate Jew. According to the standard codes, in matters of marriage, divorce and halizah,
Jewish apostates are considered Jews and their action in these matters is valid."12 This ruling
was based on an interpretation of the passage in the Talmud, Sanhedrin 44a.:
‫ אמר רבי אבא בר זבדא אף על פי שחטא ישראל הוא‬- Rabbi Abba said, "Even though they have sinned,
they are still called 'Israel' ." Some authorities, Rashi among them, have interpreted this to
mean that an apostate is still considered to be a Jew.13 It is much more likely that this passage
was intended to refer in general to Jews who sinned rather than to apostasy and it would be
tempting to negate its application to apostates and thus eliminate their standing as Jews
completely.14 Nevertheless in other passages it is clear that the Talmud considers a mumar to
still be an Israelite, albeit an apostate. Yebamot 47b, for example, states that if a gentile
converted to Judaism and then reverted to his previous religion but enters into marriage with a
Jew, the marriage is valid because "he is considered to be a mumar Yisrael."
12
Rabbi Theodore Friedman "The Halakhic status of an Apostate," that appeared in Conservative Judaism XLI 2
Winter 1988/89. See appendix B.
13
See EJ Vol 3, p.211.
14
For an extensive discussion of this viewpoint see Louis Jacobs, op cit, page 106 and J.Katz, "Though He
Sinned, He Remains An Israelite,"(Heb)in Tarbitz, XXVIII,Nos. 2-3,Jer., 1958, pp.203-17. For references to this
in the codes see "The Divorce or the Lapsed Convert" by Rabbi Michael Knopf.
9
‫ למאי הלכתא דאי הדר ביה ומקדש בת ישראל ישראל מומר קרינא ביה‬:‫טבל ועלה הרי הוא כישראל לכל דבריו‬
‫וקידושיו קידושין‬: As Rashi puts it, this is so "because a mumar Yisrael is an Israelite." If a
convert to Judaism who returns to his previous religion is still considered a Jew from the point
of view of Jewish Law, it would seem that a Jewish apostate is also still a Jew. See also
Rambam Yad, Ishut 4:15 who rules ‫ישראל מומר שקידש אף ע"פ שהוא עובד עכו"ם ברונו הרי אלו קידושין‬
‫ גמורים וצריכה גט ממנו‬- If a Jewish apostate married (a Jewish woman), even though he worships
idols, his marriage is legitimate and she requires a full get. On the other hand, according to the
Shulhan Aruch Y.D. 345:5 one does not observe mourning rites for an apostate – ‫וכן המומרים‬
‫והמוסרים כל אלו אין אוננים ואין מתאבלים עליהם‬. The issue is complicated indeed. On the one hand,
the Jew who converts to Christianity, including any 'Messianic Jew,' is considered a Christian.
One the other hand, in certain limited matters he/she is still a Jew.15
The Meiri attempts to reconcile these conflicting views::
“Whoever leaves the Jewish religion and adopts another religion is considered a
member of that religion in every respect except in matters of divorce, marriage,
or any matter of familial affairs”16
The Meiri is asserting that the apostate belongs to the new faith and is no longer a Jew except
for matters of personal status. He is still responsible to issue a get when called for, and, should
he marry Jewishly, his marriage is a marriage. However in other matters such as reliability as a
witness, inheritance, and usury the apostate was considered an alien by many medieval
15
16
See the Friedman article for a more detailed description of the history of this question.
Bet Ha-Behirah to A.Z. 47b, Sofer ed .p.61.
10
authorities17. The components of Jewish belonging are thus divisible, and individual
communities must often decide what is appropriate. As Aharon Lichtenstein once put it, "…if
we ask whether a meshumad has anything of Jewish personality and …continues to be
endowed with the personal status of a Jew, the answer is a ringing no. He remains a Jew
without Jewishness."18
One positive side of this anomaly is that the child of an apostate mother technically remains a
Jew and may be received back without undergoing conversion, as may the apostate
her/himself. As one of the versions of Birkat HaMinim puts it: May there be no hope for the
meshumadim if they do not return to Your Torah…"19
In view of this it may be said that any Jew who believes in Jesus as the messiah has joined the
Christian religion. As such he/she has changed status from 'Jew' to 'apostate Jew' who is no
longer entitled to the rights and privileges of Judaism. 'Jews for Jesus' and similar
organizations are considered by Judaism to be Christian sects, not Jewish sects. At most they
could be called 'Apostate Jews for Jesus.'
PISKEI HALAKHAH
1. Are 'Messianic Jews' still Jews?
Gerald Blidstein, “Who is not a Jew?-The Medieval Discussion” in Israel Law Review 11 (1976), pp377.
"Brother Daniel and the Jewish Fraternity," Judaism 12:3 Summer 1963, page 267. He uses the term meshumad
as an apostate.
19
Jacob Mann, "Geniza Fragments of the Palestinian Order of Service," Hebrew Union College Annual 2 (1925),
Fragment No.7 9.306.
17
18
11
The literature and website of the Jews for Jesus organization make it very clear that they are
Christians in belief, even if some of their outer trappings resemble Judaism. They believe not
only that Jesus was the messiah, but that he was God made man. They believe in the trinity, the
virgin birth, original sin, salvation through Jesus alone and the sanctity of the so-called 'New
Testament.'
There is no question, therefore, that from the viewpoint of the halakhah, becoming
a 'Messianic Jew' means becoming a Christian in matters of religious belief, even if technically
one remains a Jew in certain limited matters. Any Jew becoming a Christian is an apostate and
whatever laws apply to an apostate apply to any so-called 'Messianic Jew.'
Psak. Members of so-called 'Messianic Jewish' groups are considered Christian, because of
their Christian beliefs. As Friedman concludes, "There is more than ample ground for
considering Jewish apostates today as minim. And it was rabbinic policy, as we have seen, to
remove the minim from the Jewish community. We can and should do no less."
As noted above, The CJLS on Sept. 12, 1978 declared that "Hebrew
Christians are indeed Christians" and we reaffirm that ruling. A Jew who accepts the basic
teachings of Christianity concerning Jesus as messiah and as God enters the status of a Jewish
apostate who has become a Christian and must be treated as such. As the Meiri stated, in
matters of personal status he/she remains a Jew, but in no other way and therefore has removed
him/herself from the community of Israel. Should a messianic Jew be married to a Jewish
12
spouse and a Get be desired, if it is impossible to attain it from the messianic partner the case
should be referred to the Joint Bet Din for the possibility of Hafkaat Kiddushin.
2. May they be members of a synagogue?
Psak. Since the synagogue is by definition a Jewish organization, full synagogue membership
is only for Jews. Although in certain instances non-Jewish spouses are granted some
synagogue status, 'Messianic Jews' as apostates are in a different category. Having become
Christians they may not be accepted as members in our congregations. This is especially
important since experience has shown that such membership may very well be used as a
method of recruiting other Jews into that group.
3. May they receive an aliyah or other synagogue honors?
In regard to Karaites, Maimonides ruled that they were not to be counted in a minyan or given
other synagogue rights and honors.20 His reason was that although they were Jews by
birth, their denial of rabbinic authority and of the validity of rabbinic law placed them
outside of the realm of authentic Jews. If that is the case regarding Karaites, certainly
someone who has accepted certain Christian beliefs which are antithetical to Judaism
may not be considered a Jew for purposes of participation in Jewish rituals.
20
Hilkhot Tefillah 8:6 .‫ולא לשום דבר‬...‫אלו שאינםמוים בחוקים אלו כלל בודאי שאינם מצטרפים למנין‬
13
Isserles rules that whereas it is permissible to accept donations to a synagogue from a
Christian, it is forbidden to accept them from a Jew who has converted to Chrsitianity.21
This would certainly apply to participation in synagogue ritual.
Psak. Even though ways have been found to permit non-Jews to participate in limited ways within the
ritual of the synagogue, this does not apply to a Jew who has become an apostate. The public
appearance of such a person in a synagogue ritual can only be understood as approval of that
person's status and is therefore prohibited. However, if such an honor was unwittingly given,
the rabbi must consider whether in the particular circumstances, it would be not be ethically
better to allow the ritual to proceed, rather than to interrupt the service, thus embarrassing the
recipient and publicizing the apostasy. Kvod HaBriyot should be taken into account in all such
matters.
4. May they receive a Jewish burial?
The CJLS has dealt with this issue in a Responsum by Rabbi Paul Plotkin22. The
Responsum concludes: ”Despite the fact that halakha would allow for Jewish burial of an
Apostate even while forbidding mourning, we would prohibit such Jewish burial rites to the
Apostate. Today’s environment makes it necessary to prohibit such Jewish rights and
privileges including burial in a cemetery to an apostate. It is hoped that such a public
statement would speak loudly to the lie of the “Jews for Jesus” and others, who would
advocate the position that one could remain a Jew and practice Christianity at the same
time. Thus we hope to establish in the minds of the community, the distinctiveness of Jew
and gentile”..
21
Yoreh De'ah 254:2
Paul Plotkin, “Burial of Jews Practicing Christianity”, in Responsa 1991-2000 Rabbinical Assembly pp 400402.
22
14
Psak. We reaffirm the position of the CJLS prohibiting a Jewish burial for 'Messianic Jews.'
Should there be questions about whether the apostate had done Teshuvah, they should be
referred to the Mara d’atra. Although in recent years there have been new developments in
cemetery procedures in which interfaith sections have been established in some Jewish
cemeteries for the burial of mixed married couples, this does not apply to apostates. Once again
we make a clear distinction between a born Christian and a Jew who had become a Christian
and is thus an apostate.The teshuvah by Rabbi Kassel Abelson and Rabbi Loel M.Weiss (Feb.
2, 2010) on Burial of Non-Jewish Spouses does not alter this decision since it applies
specifically to instances of intermarriage and cases in which the individual is part of the
community
5. If a 'Messianic Jew' desires to return to Judaism what must he/she do?
On behalf of the CJLS, Boaz Cohen in the 1930's declared that a repentant apostate must make
a statement of his repentance and desire to return to Judaism at a service, appear before
a Bet Din and undergo tevilah.23 Later Rabbi Isaac Klein, in his book, A Guide to
Jewish Religious Practice wrote:
“Theoretically, an apostate never ceases to be a Jew. Nevertheless, there is the feeling
among the authorities that readmission to the Jewish community must be marked by a
ritual akin to the conversion of a Gentile. Here, too, we must be first convinced of the
candidate’s sincerity. He should be required to declare his repentance before a court of
three. He then should undergo immersion in a miqweh and be readmitted formally into
the Jewish community ( Y.D. 268:12 in Ram; Melamed Leho’il, 2, resp. 84; Cohen, and
23
RA Proceedings 5 1933-1938, page 369
15
Drob, 'Supplement on Jewish Law,' p.9; Rabbinical Assembly Law Archives, 2;
H323)"24
Psak. A 'Messianic Jew' is not simply an apostate, but rather an apostate who has
undergone a period of indoctrination into a cult-like organization and may require a
process of re-education to make certain that he/she understands what Judaism is as
opposed to the specific brand of Christianity that he/she has been practicing. Therefore
we recommend that such a person who has a change of heart and wishes to return to
Judaism should meet with the local Rabbi, and indicate his/her desire to return to
Judaism. The Rabbi will determine his/her sincerity in giving up any Christian beliefs
and determine what, if any, period of study is required. Upon successful completion of
whatever course has been required, he/she will appear before a Bet Din. There should
be immersion in the Mikveh, not as an act of conversion but as a symbolic cleansing of
the years of apostasy, followed by a ceremony of return and welcome into the Jewish
community. In the case of the male who was born to a Jewish mother who had became
a member of a Messianic sect, if not circumcised, he requires a brit milah. If
circumcised, hatafat dam brit must be performed. If such a person on his/her death bed
indicates a sincere desire to return to Judaism, he/she may be accepted and receive a
Jewish burial.
Summary of Piskei Halakha
24
Isaac Klein, A Guide to Jewish Religious Practice p 446, JTS, New York, 1979.
16
1. A Jew becoming a Christian is an apostate and whatever laws apply to an apostate
apply to a 'messianic Jew.' In essence, 'Messianic Jews' have become Christians, even if
technically they remain Jews in certain matters of personal status.
2. Synagogue membership is only for Jews. Therefore since 'Messianic Jews' have
become Christians in their religious belief and affiliation they may not be accepted as
members in our congregations.
3. They may not receive synagogue honors or participate in Jewish rituals.
4. 'Messianic Jews' may not receive a Jewish burial or be buried in a Jewish cemetery. If
there are questions about whether the apostate had done Teshuvah, this should be
referred to the Mara d’atra.
5. If a 'Messianic Jew' has a change of heart and wishes to return to Judaism, he/she
should meet with the local Rabbi, and indicate his/her desire to return to Judaism. The
Rabbi will determine his/her sincerity and decide what if any period of study, is
required. Upon successful completion of that course the individual should appear
before a Bet Din. There should be immersion in the Mikveh, a symbolic cleansing of the
years of apostasy, brit milah or hatafat dam brit if necessary, followed by a ceremony
of welcome into the Jewish community.
P’sak #6 was approved by the CJLS on June 4, 2013 by a vote of eighteen in favor, none opposed and two
abstentions (18-0-2). In favor: Rabbis Pamela Barmash, David Booth, Elliot Dorff, Baruch Frydman-Kohl,
Susan Grossman, Reuven Hammer, David Hoffman, Joshua Heller, Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Adam Kligfeld,
Jane Kanarek, Gail Labovitz, Amy Levin, Jonathan Lubliner, Daniel Nevins, Paul Plotkin and Avram
Reisner. Abstaining: Rabbis Aaron Alexander and Elie Kaplan Spitz.
6. Are children born to a Jewish woman after she has become a 'messianic Jew'
considered to be Jewish?
17
Psak. In view of the fact (discussed above) that the halakhah has been ambivalent
regarding the question of the Jewish status of an apostate and that in certain matters of
personal status many (such as Rashi) have indicated that once a Jew always a Jew, we
may consider such children to have the same status as the mother – i.e. apostate Jews –
meshumadim. This status will continue to be passed down through females so that
descendants through the female line would be considered apostate Jews and therefore
all of the decisions in this teshuvah would apply to them including the method of
returning to Judaism. However descendants whose mothers were not Jews or apostate
Jews, even if raised as 'Messianic Jews,' would be required to undergo a full conversion
process should they desire to become Jews.
18